Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Paolo Gentiloni met today with EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica. Their discussions included the development projects under way under the Italian EU presidency, particularly regarding Development Agenda negotiations, the migration-development link and the role of the private sector. There was a general convergence of viewpoints on the close connection between foreign and security policy and development policies aimed at prevention and stabilization.
Minister Gentiloni illustrated some of the innovations introduced with the reform of Cooperation legislation, pointing out the government’s commitment to gradually increase financial resources. The minister also underscored the importance of EXPO as a major opportunity for reflection and initiative on a global scale with regard to the themes of food, nutrition and sustainable development. With the adoption of the new Agenda, the Milan EXPO and the Paris Climate Change Conference will assume crucial importance in 2015, which has been proclaimed the European Year of Development.
